‘EXPORT IS GOOD FOR NORTH WEST BUSINESS’

An Exporting Works Seminar held at Stockport Sports Village hosted by Sir Andrew Stunell MP and in partnership with UKTI, attracted around 90 North West businessmen and women, interested in learning how exports can create a bigger and stronger business.

6000 North West manufacturing and service businesses are already exporting creating jobs, driving innovation & increased productivity, contributing to growing the economy, and from diverse sectors including chemicals, transport, macinery and consumer goods.

Locally, Stockport based Frederic Robinson and Hughes Safety Showers have been innovative in their approach to reach new overseas markets; Robinsons’ teamed up with Rock band Iron Maiden to produce Trooper Beer where global demand has out-performed sales forecasts; Hughes’ research into the overseas market have ensured that their products are innovative and conform to meet customer demands, paving a smoother route to increase the value of their exports which now account for 65% of all sales. 

Commenting, Andrew said –

“Boosting Stockport’s exports has to be a no-brainer.  It can help businesses prosper and definitely can create more jobs.”

“We’ve got some brilliant local companies who are setting the pace.  This was a chance for them to explain how they do it, and for UKTI, the Government’s agency supporting exporters, to set out the help that companies can get working with our embassies overseas, booking into trade fairs, and tackling foreign red tape.

“Friday was a great start to what should be another Stockport success story.”

Clive Drinkwater, UKTI’s North West Regional Director has had a career in looking at overseas markets and is passionate in helping businesses to exploit any export opportunities.

Clive discussed, ‘Exporting – why bother?’, leaving many in the audience newly invigorated and enthusiastic to increase sales through exports:

“Exporting has its challenges so why bother? There are many reasons why you should. Exporting firms go F A R – they are generaly more Flexible, more Agile and more Resilient; and importantly more Profitable! Firms who export improve their performence”.

This is verified by research from Harris & Li who reported that by year one, businesses who export on average recorded a 34% boost to long term productivity, 12% became more resilient and improved their ability to change as they needed to address the demands of different countries and their cultures, often leading to amending products and services.  The report also found that exporting companies often increase their UK Market too and 70% admitred becoming more innovative.

Clive continued to highlight the global opportunities. Currently, 50% of UK businesses export to the EU which accounts for just 7% of the world’s population and 19% of world GDP. Growth markets such as
BRIC – Brazil, Russia, India & China and MIST – Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea & Turkey together represent 50% of world population, 33% of global GDP and growing!

7 out of 10 of the fasest growing economies are in Africa.

UKTI highlighted the challenge to North West based businesses to keep exporting to the EU but look at opportunities in the growth markets for a more secure and economic future. They recommend that UK business needs to be where the population and GDP is increasing.

Clive Drinkwater, Director of UKTI Northwest, said –

“I was delighted to join Sir Andrew, other speakers and delegates at the Stockport Sports Village on Friday. This is precisely the kind of inspiring sub regional event that we need to encourage more businesses and entrepreneurs in the NW to start trading abroad.  As I said, the ability to trade anywhere in the world will be a defining characteristic of the most successful business of the future, enabling them to reach many millions of potential new customers and we want to help companies achieve this objective.

“Virtually any company can export its products and services – from one-man operations to large corporations employing hundreds – and there are plenty of opportunities for North West businesses to get exporting.  I’ve challenged the North West region, its companies, its local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and all of its intermediaries and business support organisations to identify and help 1000 companies to start exporting in 2013.  It’s a demanding target but one I’m sure we’ll all give our best shot at achieving”

Speakers included –

• Sir Andrew Stunell MP.
• Clive Drinkwater, Director of UKTI Northwest.
• Yvonne Halliday, Senior Manager of BDO Manchester.
• Stephen Dootson of Hughes Safety Showers.
• Tony Brown of UKTI Northwest.